Pure Grit

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Pure Grit

2020

1h 28m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

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6 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Pure Grit is both a thrilling tale of extreme bareback horse racing, and an intimate love story. Chronicling three years in the life of a young Native American bareback horse racer, her unwavering determination, and the relationships that sustain her. Sharmaine is a former horse racing champion, determined to ride and win. It's been a year since she last raced. A year since her sister was paralyzed in a catastrophic accident on the track. Sharmaine quit racing to care for her. In the stunning Wyoming wilderness of the Wind River reservation, Sharmaine and her new girlfriend Savannah begin to build a life for themselves. They hope for better. But the atmosphere at home soon deteriorates and the young lovers are forced to leave for the industrial Commerce City, Denver. The city brings freedom and opportunity, but also distractions and a strain on their fledgling relationship. When racing season starts up, Sharmaine and Savannah hit the road and put it all on the line. With a new horse from her city earnings, Sharmaine sees the potential for a fresh start, but life, like the race track, doesn't always go according to plan.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

09/26/2022

3/5

The storytelling is often elliptical and full of mysterious silences. Still, it’s hard not be mesmerised by such a photogenic subject and likable heroine.

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Naemi Victoria

Film Ireland Magazine

10/13/2022

Pure Grit remains an overall compelling piece with a protagonist who audiences want to cheer on at the racetracks.

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Hilary A White

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

10/06/2022

4/5

A sonorous, intimate and beautifully captured portrait from an America that seldom visits our screens.

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Paul Whitington

Irish Independent

10/01/2022

4/5

Irish filmmaker Kim Bartley’s documentary provides a fascinating window into another world.

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Abhishek Sharma

Film Threat

03/31/2022

9/10

The film, in all forms, is the most complete documentary I have ever seen, which will push you to relive your life choices and make you embrace the fact that everything must keep going on.

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Nikki Baughan

Screen International

07/28/2021

A poignant study of the challenges and triumphs of lives lived on the fringes.

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Kim Bartley

Director

Savannah Martinez

Self

Sharmaine Weed

Self

Kim Bartley

Writer

Kim Bartley

Producer

Rachel Lysaght

Producer

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Synopsis

Pure Grit is both a thrilling tale of extreme bareback horse racing, and an intimate love story. Chronicling three years in the life of a young Native American bareback horse racer, her unwavering determination, and the relationships that sustain her. Sharmaine is a former horse racing champion, determined to ride and win. It's been a year since she last raced. A year since her sister was paralyzed in a catastrophic accident on the track. Sharmaine quit racing to care for her. In the stunning Wyoming wilderness of the Wind River reservation, Sharmaine and her new girlfriend Savannah begin to build a life for themselves. They hope for better. But the atmosphere at home soon deteriorates and the young lovers are forced to leave for the industrial Commerce City, Denver. The city brings freedom and opportunity, but also distractions and a strain on their fledgling relationship. When racing season starts up, Sharmaine and Savannah hit the road and put it all on the line. With a new horse from her city earnings, Sharmaine sees the potential for a fresh start, but life, like the race track, doesn't always go according to plan.

Director: Kim Bartley
Producer: Kim Bartley, Rachel Lysaght
Screenwriter: Kim Bartley
Production Co: Underground Films, Underground Films Limited, Frontline Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 28m

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